Home Alone

As a new school year begins, parents may find themselves in a quandary about what to do with their children after school. For working parents, this may mean leaving them home alone. But what is it proper to leave a child alone? What can a parent do to ensure the child is safe, and what are some of the alternatives?

Latchkey children are a cause of concern for many parents, child welfare advocates and law enforcement officials. Some kids left at home may enjoy the independence, while others can feel neglected. Parents often end up worrying or feeling guilty.

Kids end up in latchkey situations for generally three reasons: financial difficulties that cause a previously nonworking parent to take a job; death of a grandparent or other care-giver who watched the child after school; or divorce. The cost of a baby- sitter or after-school enrichment program may be prohibitive, forcing children to be unsupervised until mom or dad comes home.

When is it OK to leave a child home alone?

There is no magic number for determing how old children must be before they can be left on their own. State law doesn’t set an age, however, minors must not be placed in a situation where they are likely to suffer bodily harm,nor can their basic needs be neglected. Experts say parents must consider several factors, including the child’s maturity level, time of day he is alone and whether he has to watch over other children. When a parent decides to leave a child alone, it is a good idea to begin slowly, staying away for 15 minutes at a time and gradually lengthening the duration to see how the child fares.

Who’s at home?

* 500,000, or 12%, of California’s 4.2 million children 5 to 14 are left home alone for some time during the day- California Department of Education.

* For children 5 to 12, almost 15% are unsupervised when they return home from school- Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C., non-partisan think tank.

* Nationwide, between 5 million and 12 million children ages 5 to 13 are left at home alone for part of every day-National Crime Prevention Council.

Working Moms

* In the fall of 1991, there were 19.2 million employed women with children younger than 15 living with them, for a total of 31 million kids-U.S. Census Bureau

* The number of California mothers with children 6 to 17 who worked outside the home went from 50% in 1970 to 65% in 1980 and 72% in 1990.-U.S. Census Bureau

Dangers of Being Alone

* Latchkey children are about three times more likely than those supervised by adults to be involved in accidents, engage in delinquent behavior or be victimized-National Crime Prevention Council.

Safety tips for kids:

* Always walk home with a friend on a safe, well-traveled route. If possible, walk against traffic so you can see a car stopping nearby. Don’t accept rides from strangers.

* Use an answering machine to screen phone calls. If you don’t have an answering machine, say the parent is unavailable and offer to take a message. Don’t say you’re alone or give out any information.

* Keep all doors and windows locked. Do not open the door to anyone, unless pre-approved by a parent. If someone is delivering a package, it can be left outside.

* Go to a neighbor’s house if a door is open or the house is in unusual disarray when you arrive home.

* Don’t let people know you will be home alone or display your house key on a chain.

* Avoid watching or reading scary stories that might trigger your imagination and make you feel frightened.

* Call a parent or trusted neighbor if you have questions or are concerned about anything.

Suggestions for parents:

* Teach children when and how to call 911. Explain that they must dial 9-1-1; some children may get confused and look for an 11 on the phone. Have them practice with the phone dissconnected.

* Don’t put your child’s name on their clothing or backpack; an abductor may be abe to gain a child’s trust if they use his name.

* Adopt a family code word and change it occasionally. Teach childrn to not go with somebody unless they know the code word.

* Keep emergency numbers by the phone. Have a first- aid kit and money in the house in case of emergencies.

* Leave a loving note for your children to see when they get home.

* Have an alternative plan in place should your child become sick or injured.

Helpful numbers:

* Lonely, bored or scared kids wanting to talk can call Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s PhoneFriend:

(818) 241-KIDS, 3 to 5 p.m. weekdays, in the Antelope Valey, call Lancaster’s United Methodist Church’s PhoneFriend: (805) 949-8662, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., weekdays.

These free services are staffed by trained volunteers.

* Information on 31st District PTA after-school programs at select Los Angeles Unifed School District elementary schools: (818) 996-2668.

* Information on after-school recreation programs at most local elementary and middle schools: Valley Youth Services, (818) 904-2162

* Information on programs offered at L.A. city parks: call the park nearest you.

* Referrals for day-care centers or llicensed homes: Child Care Resource Center, (818) 762-0905 (San Fernando Valley); (805) 255-2701 (Santa Clarita Valley); (805) 949-0615 (Antelope Valley)

* To report suspected child abuse or neglect: Los Angeles County Child Abuse Hotline, (800) 540-4000.

Sources: Los Angeles County Office of Education, California Department of Education, Children Now, National Safety Council, National Center for Missing& Exploited Children, staff reports; Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times